Beyond the Neighbourhood

Young British rockers

British indie-rock quartet Athlete was organized in London in 1999. It comprises Joel Pott (lead vocals and guitar), Carey Willetts (bass and backing vocals), Stephen Roberts (drums and backing vocals) and Tim Wanstall (keyboards and backing vocals). Four friends listened to such bands like Grandaddy and The Flaming Lips, and started playing and recording in the basement of the pub The Bear. They became prominent in 2003 with the debut album Vehicles and Animals, earning a Mercury Music Prize. The second work of Athlete, Tourist, reached Number One in the UK Album Charts in its first week due to the incredible success of the single Wires. In 2006 Wires won the Ivor Novello Award for Best Contemporary Song. Athlete's tracks are actively used on TV and film soundtracks. Recently rockers took a live guitarist Jonny Pilcher into the band. In 2007 Athlete announced the September release of a new disc, called Beyond the Neighbourhood.

Athlete have found their identity

Beyond the Neighbourhood was presented to the audience by a single Hurricane - dancing number with a hooking bassline. Though it is far not the only attraction on this musical creation. Album opener In Between 2 States is a beautiful instrumental track with delicate electric guitar riffs. Reflexive composition The Outsiders tells to the listeners, what it feels like being an Englishman, it reminds Pink Floyd a bit, while Airport Disco with the dark riffs proves again that Athlete is no ways "the second Coldplay or Travis". Flying Over Bustops is a lyrical ballad, it wonderfully reproduces gloomy, though romantic atmosphere of London night buses. One of the most prominent songs on the album is This Is What I Sound Like. It was inspired by Israeli agents in the movie Munich by Speilberg and all about finding one's identity - though is sounds a bit surprising, as Beyond the Neighbourhood definetely proves Athlete has no problems with self-identification and personal style.

Beyond the Neighbourhood: a fresh adventure flavor

Coming back to the studio and deciding they need no producer, pointing them what to do, Athlete members made a great favor to their fans. Beyond the Neighbourhood heredited only the best features of band's previous works, leaving the shortcomings in the past - no boring repetitiveness or accent on guitar and bass. The work undoubtedly gained much thanks to this decision. Besides, it aquired a fresh adventure flavor, combining loud pop-rock with electronic moments and strong percussions. It is intencely felt though, that the best sound traditions were taken by Beyond the Neighbourhood from the Tourist. No wonder, as this disc was also mixed by Ben Allen and Michael Brauer, who brilliantly fulfilled their work on both creations. As the result, this wonderful Athlete's album contains both upbeat tracks and ballads, equally remebable and cherishing the ear of the listener.